Teaching article
Body fossil or trace fossil: what evidence is preserved?
Sort verified examples by the kind of evidence they preserve.
A footprint records activity, while a preserved body structure provides another kind of evidence. Compare verified examples and label classroom copies as replicas, keeping the original evidence distinct from the paper model used to discuss it.
A footprint records activity rather than a preserved body part.
Classify the kind of record
Read each caption. Identify preserved evidence. Explain the categories.
Ask what kind of past activity or material the example records. A classroom copy preserves the diagram's information, not the original specimen.
What evidence is represented? Start with two clear examples.
A replica of a footprint is a classroom model.
Resources
- Fossil Clue Partner Game — Use the paper clues as a classroom evidence model.
Further reading
Read next
- Familiar dinosaurs did not necessarily live at the same time
- Dinosaur diet claims should bring their evidence with them
- An extinction discussion needs an authoritative account to work from
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